Over the past decade, the popularity and demand for LEGO has soared. What was once a building toy for children has expanded its audience to include teens and adults. The sets themselves have evolved, offering more detail, utility, and variety.
Some sets are designed for play, while others are crafted for display, serving as dioramas or high-end collectibles. Additionally, a growing number of sets serve as lifestyle accessories, such as wall decorations, plants, and flowers, seamlessly integrating into living spaces.
Currently, there are hundreds of LEGO sets available for purchase, spanning a wide range of piece counts, themes, and prices. However, buyers may encounter two main challenges: not finding the desired set or finding it at an unreasonable price.
The primary reason for these issues is that LEGO retires all its sets—even the popular ones—to make way for new releases. This practice has fueled a thriving resell market, where merchants often inflate prices by two to three times the original cost.
LEGO sets are generally expensive, and prices have been rising over the past few years. For instance, the massive 7,541-piece Star Wars Millennium Falcon, which debuted in 2017 at $800, now costs $850. This price exceeds the typical '10 cents per piece' rate seen in many LEGO sets.
To navigate these challenges, consumers need to be savvy and thorough in their shopping. Here are the best places to buy LEGO sets in 2025, along with optimal times to seek out deals.
4
See it at LEGO!
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See it at Amazon!
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See it at Target!
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See it at Walmart!
The first and most obvious place to shop for LEGO online is the official LEGO Store, which boasts the widest selection, easily sortable by theme, price, release date, and customer rating. LEGO offers responsive customer service and the LEGO Insiders program, which is free to join and comes with numerous benefits.
Members can purchase sets before they are released to the general public, receive free sets as spending incentives, and access sets exclusive to the LEGO Store, unavailable from third-party retailers.
The most compelling feature of the LEGO Store is its point system. Every dollar spent earns 6.5 points, and 130 points equate to $1, effectively providing a 5% return on purchases. This amount can be saved and used towards future purchases. Additionally, there are specific times during the year when you can earn double points, significantly enhancing the program's value.
Other top online options include Amazon, Target, and Walmart. While they lack the point system and exclusivity of the official store, they often offer modest discounts on most sets. In contrast, the LEGO Store typically sells at full retail price, except during select periods when it aims to clear out inventory near the end of a set's lifecycle.
When deciding where to buy, it's essential to weigh the options. Would you prefer a 10% discount at Target.com (which accepts LEGO Insider points but at a less favorable exchange rate)? Or would you opt to pay full price at the LEGO Store for future discounts and a free exclusive set?
For retired sets, unofficial online marketplaces like Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook are your only recourse. Be prepared to pay a premium, engage directly with sellers, negotiate prices, and shop around for the best deal.
Physical stores are another option. While they may not offer the same variety as online, many shoppers prefer the personalized service and the ability to examine sets before buying.
The in-person LEGO Store is an excellent choice for the same reasons as its online counterpart. The LEGO Insiders program and point system are applicable in-store as well. Additionally, LEGO Stores often feature interactive attractions like LEGO building stations and minifigure customization areas, allowing you to create your own unique minifigure.
Target and Walmart have dedicated LEGO sections in their stores, and it's worth comparing their offerings with those at the LEGO Store on a case-by-case basis. GameStop occasionally carries gaming-themed LEGO sets, while Barnes & Noble stocks lifestyle sets, smaller impulse buys, and Harry Potter sets, reflecting the franchise's status as one of the best-selling book series in history. Although discounts are rare in smaller outlets, it's always worth checking.
One last note: If you're hunting for a recently retired set, physical stores might surprise you. Just because LEGO officially retires a set doesn't mean every third-party retailer immediately follows suit. You might find sets months past their retirement date still on shelves. It's unlikely, but possible.
Beyond the regular discounts at big-box stores, LEGO sets seldom go on sale. The high demand means LEGO prefers to retire sets rather than discount them. However, there are specific times when sales are more likely.
LEGO celebrates May 4 (Star Wars Day) by offering double Insider points for Star Wars set purchases. Similarly, March 10 (Mario Day) brings special deals in partnership with Nintendo. Keep an eye on significant anniversaries, especially those linked to third-party franchises.
Always watch for clearance deals at big-box stores, which are more common at the start of the year when LEGO retires old sets and introduces new ones, prompting retailers to update their inventory.
The holiday season, particularly Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is prime time for deep discounts. Amazon Prime Days in July and October also present solid opportunities for LEGO deals. Stay vigilant for upcoming sales events to snag potential discounts on LEGO sets.
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